How Long Does Professional Window Cleaning Take?

For the average home, professional window cleaning takes 2 to 5 hours. A small single-story home with 12–15 windows can be completed in under 2 hours, while a larger two-story colonial with 25–35 windows typically takes 3–5 hours. Jobs involving interior and exterior cleaning, screen cleaning, and track work run on the longer end of that range.

What Determines How Long Window Cleaning Takes?

The time a window cleaning job takes is driven by several factors, most of which your technician can assess before starting. Understanding them helps you plan your day and know what to expect.

Number of Windows and Panes

This is the single biggest variable. Each window — depending on size, style, and accessibility — takes a professional roughly 5 to 15 minutes to clean thoroughly. A home with 30 windows will take twice as long as a home with 15, all else being equal. Bay windows, arched windows, and large picture windows take longer than standard double-hung units.

Single-Story vs. Multi-Story Homes

Ground-floor windows are the fastest to complete. Upper-story windows require repositioning ladders or setting up water-fed pole systems, which adds time per window. In Michigan, where two-story colonials and brick Tudors are common throughout Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Troy, two-story homes reliably add 30–90 minutes to a job compared to a similar single-story home.

Interior vs. Exterior Only

Exterior-only cleaning is faster because the technician works entirely from outside. Interior cleaning requires entering each room, moving furniture or decor away from windows, and being more deliberate about water and drips on floors and sills. A full interior and exterior job takes roughly 50–70% longer than exterior-only service.

Window Condition

Windows that were cleaned 6 months ago are quick. Windows with years of hard water deposits, mineral staining, construction overspray, or oxidized screens require extra time for scrubbing, spot treatments, or multiple passes. Michigan's hard water is notorious for leaving calcium and lime deposits on glass — especially on windows exposed to irrigation systems. Badly stained windows may take 2–3 times longer per pane.

Screen and Track Cleaning

If screens are being removed, cleaned, and reinstalled, add 30–60 minutes depending on the number of screens. Track and sill cleaning adds additional time as well, though many companies fold light track cleaning into the standard service.

Estimated Time by Home Size — Michigan Context

• Small home, exterior only (under 1,500 sq ft): 1–2 hours
• Medium home, exterior only (1,500–2,500 sq ft, 2 stories): 2–3 hours
• Medium home, interior and exterior: 3–4.5 hours
• Large home, interior and exterior (2,500–4,000 sq ft): 4–6 hours
• Custom or luxury home: 5–8+ hours, or scheduled across two visits

Do You Need to Be Home During the Cleaning?

For exterior-only service, most homeowners do not need to be present. A technician can clean all accessible exterior windows without entry. For interior work, someone should be home to provide access and to flag any fragile items near windows. ClearView always confirms scope before starting so there are no surprises.

Will Weather Affect the Schedule?

Michigan weather is unpredictable, and yes — rain, high winds, and freezing temperatures can affect scheduling. Light overcast days are actually ideal for window cleaning because direct sunlight can cause solutions to dry before they're wiped, leaving streaks. Your technician will notify you if conditions require rescheduling.

Schedule with ClearView Exterior Services in Birmingham

ClearView Exterior Services serves Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Royal Oak, and surrounding Metro Detroit communities. Our crews are efficient, fully insured, and equipped with professional-grade tools to complete your job cleanly and on time.

Call (248) 252-8909 or visit birminghamwindowwashing.com to book your appointment.